Camilla Galli da Bino, EU official
Your bike? A Ducati Monster S4R, 996cc - it's fast and noisy with great performance - and it's also great looking.
Why did you become a biker? My passion for fast cars and bikes came from my dad, Umberto, a civil engineer. He got me my first bike, a Morini 50, as soon as I could legally drive it when I was 14. We modified the engine so it was quite fast. When I was a teenager most of my friends had big bikes and let me drive them. I got my first real bike when I was 20, an old and rusty Norton Commando 750 that I completely restored with my dad. Unfortunately it went on fire, but other and better bikes followed.
Did you take rider training? I had lots of training when I started and then again when I got back on two wheels.
What does your insurance cost? Too much! There is no competition in Ireland. It's three times what it would cost in Italy. I hope an insurance company will introduce car and bike insurance because you can't drive them both at the same time!
Do you drive a car? My old Jaguar 420G is languishing in the driveway but I make an effort to use it every so often.
Ever encountered any sexism as a female biker? Never - and I have the support of my partner who also loves bikes.
Do you worry about your survival? All the time.
What do you use your bike for? It's my main vehicle for going to work, shopping and travelling.
Any accidents? I've been very fortunate and haven't had many accidents during my biking life. The worst was last year in Ballsbridge when a woman in a Nissan Micra came from the opposite direction, didn't see me and turned into the bank. I managed to stop and avoid crashing into her but fell and hurt my knee very badly and broke my thumb. The woman disappeared into the bank's car park and, despite Garda efforts, she could not be traced. According to the bank, its security cameras were all out of order that day. At the time I was driving a black Ducati S4, wearing a black helmet, black jacket and trousers. My new Ducati is red with a matching red helmet and I feel I am much more visible now.
Do you follow motorcycle sports? I mostly follow Moto GP and I love Valentino Rossi. It would be nice to see an Irish Moto GP but the Mondello circuit needs serious development before that could ever happen.
Why do you think bikers share a special bond? Survival - we help and look out for each other probably because motorists are generally aggressive and their hostility towards us helps bond us together.
Any biking issues for the government? Training is the main issue for both car and bike drivers, rather than keeping below the speed limit. Bad driving kills more than speeding. Road surfaces are important for motorcyclists. If white lines get continually painted without burning off the old ones a dangerous ridge develops. And then there are the potholes!!!
Any tips for survival on two wheels? Do your training and be aware of the road, avoid taxis, four-wheel drives and any car with an L-plate.